Green light for South Hook project

The UK Government has granted the South Hook Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant in Pembrokeshire planning consent.

The plant, which will generate enough electricity to power 900,000 homes, will create hundreds of jobs during construction and a further 30 full-time roles when complete.

The owners of the site will now make a final investment decision for the project. Once a decision is reached, construction is expected to start next year and will be completed before the end of 2018.

Wales office minister Baroness Randerson said: "This is very good news for Wales, and for the UK.

"Investment in new energy infrastructure is essential if we are to keep the lights on and bills and emissions down. Combined Heat and Power is a highly efficient process which has an important role to play in providing us with a variety of energy generation technologies, which will help to secure our energy future."

Secretary of state for energy Edward Davey added: "In addition to creating hundreds of jobs during the construction phrase, this plant makes an important contribution to reducing carbon emissions in the energy sector and provides flexible generating capacity."